HARTFORD, Conn. - Kate Mulgrew, always a brilliant
actress, does not disappoint in her current endeavor, the theatrical production
of Tea At Five. Written about the secretive and private life of Katherine
Hepburn, Mulgrew's soloperformance enlightens
the audience to Hepburn's personal life, confirming somerumors
and adding new stories.

The first act, set in 1938 when Hepburn was
a young woman, shows the actresswaiting
impatiently to hear if she has gotten the part of Scarlet O'Hara. Witha tropical storm raging outside the Fenwick apartment,
Hepburn discusses hertravails as an actress,
and why a series of flops after a hit can still get oneblacklisted
in Hollywood.

In the second act, set in 1983, Hepburn is
older, less arrogant, and morereflective.
Warren Beatty is trying to convince her to do one more show, butHepburn is, at best, unsure. She has a broken
ankle from a car accident thatshe caused,
and is suffering from Parkinson's, even if she won't admit to it.During her discourse with the audience, Hepburn
reveals secrets that one couldnever dream
of, and certainly keeps the listeners on their feet.

At one point, Hepburn discusses the importance
of detail, and how it is lost in"modern"
society. Well, Mulgrew certainly paid attention to every last detail,from the hair and the clothing, to the gestures
and the accent; from a fullcast to an
authentic Hartford Current from 1938 all details are accounted for.The audience truly feels as if they are sitting
in Fenwick, discussingHepburn's life
with the actress; especially with such perfect uses of sarcasmand
sharp wit.

Tea At Five earns five gold stars if that
is all I am allowed to give it. Theacting
is amazing and the stage design beautiful. The script maintained theperfect balance between comedy and drama. This
performance is an absolute mustsee for
anyone, not just Hepburn or Mulgrew fans.